West Seattle, Washington
11 Sunday
We’ve been inviting you, often, to give this holiday season, if you can. And you’ve answered the call! As further inspiration as the holiday season nears its crescendo, here are four more West Seattle service clubs and businesses who’ve given big gifts recently (in addition to other people, businesses, and organizations we’ve featured previously):
(WSB photos)
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: That’s the giving tree in the West Seattle Eagles‘ lounge this afternoon, just before a delegation from WestSide Baby arrived to pick up the stacks of presents given by warm-hearted members:
The trio from WS Baby were Will, daughter Emery, and (not pictured) volunteer Gayle. The Eagles gifts included six strollers and five big boxes of diapers – enough overflow that it didn’t all fit under the tree!
(Photo via Thunder Road Guitars on Instagram)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: TRG reports it’s “teamed up with our friends at Gretsch Guitars to donate 50 acoustic guitars to public schools here in West Seattle. We’re proud to give back to a community that has been so supportive of us. We also encourage you to consider donating or volunteering with schools in your area this holiday season.” A good idea any time! (Also note that Thunder Road is open extra days/hours until Christmas – Sunday too! – 6400 California SW)
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: The photo above is from a recent Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) meeting where three checks totaling almost $3,000 were presented to the West Seattle Food Bank. The club explains:
The funds were raised through multiple initiatives:
Harvest Against Hunger Grant – This grant, made possible by a nomination from Gina Topp, recognizes WSFB’s vital role in addressing food insecurity in the community.
Hunger Strike Bowling Tournament – Proceeds from the Rotary’s annual tournament were directed to WSFB.
Rotary District 5030 Contribution – District 5030 also allocated a portion of Hunger Strike proceeds to benefit WSFB.During the meeting, Harvest Against Hunger Executive Director David Bobanick presented the checks to WSFB Executive Director Fran Yeatts.
ALL THE BEST PET CARE: The regional chain that opened a West Seattle store this year (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) more than doubled the donations in its fall pet-food drive, teaming with customers and with brands Weruva and Nulo. Together they all gave more than 50,000 pounds – 25 tons! – of premium cat and dog food. Early next year, the donations will go to area organizations including Alley Cat Project, Ballard Food Bank, Bella’s Voice, Dog Gone Seattle, Homeward Pet, MEOW Cat Rescue, Motley Zoo, Pawsitive Alliance, Seattle Area Feline Rescue, Seattle Veterinary Outreach, Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary, Washington Health Outreach, and White Center Food Bank.
Though most of the decorated homes whose Christmas lights we show are houses, multifamily buildings can go all-out too. Every year we enjoy checking out the buildings on Alki Avenue; this week, this one in the 1500 block caught our attention. Others are well-lit too, so if you’re heading out to drive, ride, or walk to see the lights, consider Alki Avenue. (We still have a few showcase nights remaining until Christmas – send your suggestion, with or without a photo, to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
(WSB photo from 2023 winter-solstice sunset watch)
Winter begins at 1:20 am Saturday – that’s the solstice moment. Fourteen hours later (starting around 3:45 pm, to be precise), astronomy educator Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (top of the slope at 7400 Fauntleroy Way SW) to lead her quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch. So far the forecast suggests we’ll be between rain spells; truly heavy rain is the only thing that would cause Alice to cancel. Come learn about what “solstice” signifies, see how (if it’s visible) the setting sun lines up with the park’s solstice/equinox markers, and enjoy the relatively balmy (still 50ish) weather.
As we head into the weekend, we welcome our newest WSB sponsor, West Seattle restaurant La Chingona Taqueria. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves, so here’s La Chingona Taqueria‘s story:
Sandra La Chingona and Edgar, Executive Chef and owners of La Chingona Taquería, located on Avalon Way, boast over 20 years of experience in the food industry.
Their expertise encompasses catering and food trucks, complemented by a vibrant restaurant featuring an exquisite menu crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Signature dishes include Mole, Enchiladas, Pozole, Carne asada, and fresh margaritas, as well as their famous Tacos, wet burritos, quesadillas ,including their number one fish taco, filed and breaded in-house with all fresh toppings.
La Chingona Taqueria serves the best Mexican Brunch in West Seattle every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 am-2 pm, offering Mexican coffee, mimosas, french toast, Chilaquiles, omelets, pancakes, house-made 3 leches cake, flan, and churros.
The restaurant features stunning murals and an altar honoring their heritage and loved ones. A heated, covered patio is pet-friendly. They also have a permanent food truck location in Bellevue that operates Tuesday-Sunday.
For catering services, their food wagon, Tacos On Wheels, offers a unique menu for parties and corporate events. Please email info@lachingonataqueria.com for a quote and catering menu.
La Chingona Taquería lives up to its name ‘Bad ass woman.’
2940 SW Avalon Way, Seattle,
Tuesday-Thursday 3-8 pm
Friday-Sunday 8 am-9 pm,
Happy hour daily from 3-6 pm
They are very grateful for being part of the amazing West Seattle community.
Thanks to La Chingona Taqueria for sponsoring community-collaborative news on WSB. Interested in becoming a sponsor too? Call 206-293-6302.
The name of the spotlight organization for which you can demonstrate the West Seattle Giving Spirit today, the Westside Interfaith Network, doesn’t fully tell the story of how it works. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn about, and support, some of our area’s nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. WIN isn’t about preaching – it’s about connecting and helping:
The Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) is building a strong, compassionate, and responsive community on the west side of Seattle/King County. We feed people: by showing up every Saturday, rain or shine, with a hot meal to feed 120+ people, the local population of unsheltered, ultra low-income seniors & families, refugees and asylum seekers, has come to know and trust us. We estimate that three-quarters are regulars, attending every Saturday knowing they will receive a hot home-cooked meal, toilet paper, hygiene items, socks, clothing, and food to take home, wherever their home may be. They are all experiencing food insecurity and for many this is their only significant meal for the week.
We care about our neighbors who are hurting & suffering, marginalized & unseen. We feel called (no matter what that means within our own personal spirituality or values) to serve and be of service to our neighbors who lack housing, food, and a place at the table. WIN welcomes the community with dignity and respect, meeting them “where they are at” with open hearts and spirits; we are truly “The Welcome Table.” Upon developing relationships with our guests, we assist with requests for bus tickets, work boots, outdoor equipment, gift cards, and even assistance with rent & utilities. It’s all about building relationships and community.
Faith congregations across West Seattle and Burien sign up to provide the hot meal and volunteers each week (but anyone can come volunteer!). These volunteers help distribute the basic items based on need. Hygiene items include toilet paper, shampoo, soap, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine hygiene, diapers, first aid kits, etc. We give away women’s and kids’ clothing, and specifically for the men, we have day labor clothing of jeans, hoodies, beanies, work boots, gloves, socks, etc. For those experiencing homelessness, we have a separate distribution of sleeping bags, tarps, tents, backpacks, warm outerwear, socks, hand warmers, etc. Nearly everything is donated, though we are purchasing critical items more and more for our guests living outdoors and for the food pantry.
Last Saturday was our Gift Bag Extravaganza where we gave away 200 gift bags at our Welcome Table full of goodies and supplies all made by our faith communities.
WIN is an all-volunteer 501c3 wholly reliant on our friends and community to support our critical work. We ask that you support WIN with a financial contribution or donations of new socks, sleeping bags, coats, warm clothing, boots, and hygiene items.
But most of all, come share the hot meal with us and this beloved community in White Center as a volunteer – no one is turned away! Be ready to have your heart set on fire.
DONATE
VOLUNTEER OR LEARN MORE: Email WINWelcomeTable@googlegroups.com
Our next West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight is on Monday; you can scroll through our past spotlights here.
(Photo courtesy West Seattle RoadRunners)
Runners from the West Seattle RoadRunners are back from the national championships, with major success, including the 9-10-year-old girls [photo above] repeating as national champions! Here’s a summary courtesy of head coach James Powell:
This past weekend, youth athletes from West Seattle RoadRunners, our local youth running team, competed in the 2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Shelbyville, Indiana. 3,175 athletes from all over the country competed in 2-year age group races from 7-8 year olds to 17-18 year olds.
Athletes on this team have represented our community at the National Championships in each of their 8 years since they started in 2017. In that first season, four West Seattle athletes competed at Nationals. This year the team sent 59 runners, its largest and most successful contingency ever and the most athletes from any team in the Pacific Northwest.
The 9-10 year old girls team defended their 2023 National Championship team title taking 1st place again this year. Their top 5 runners finished an astonishing 45 seconds apart. They were led by Everly Haase (15th) and Lanna Caprara (22nd) who earned All-American honors for their top 25 finishes.
The 11-12 year old boys team, led by Gus Kemper (5th overall), became the first boys race team from West Seattle to stand on the National Championships podium, finishing in 3rd place.
The 11-12 girls team finished in 5th place with 3 athletes earning All-American honors: Teagan Kemper (8th), Beau Sitzmann (15th), and Savannah Brondstetter (17th). Amazingly these three girls are barely 11 years old and will be back in the same age group next season as they are joined by members of the 2-time National Champion 9-10 year old team who are aging up.
Kallan Knapp wrapped up the day for our team in style finishing in 9th place in the 17-18 girls race and earning the team’s 7th All-American honor at this year’s meet.
You can learn more about this youth running program by visiting their team website at www.westseattleroadrunners.org and following their team Instagram account @westseattleroadrunners
As speculated in citywide media in recent days, Mayor Bruce Harrell has chosen Madison, Wisconsin, Police Chief Shon Barnes as the next Seattle Police Chief. The announcement says Barnes “brings to Seattle a record of accomplishment, including implementing solutions that have driven a 67% decrease in homicides, a 40% decrease in auto thefts, and a 19% decrease in reports of shots fired so far in 2024, as well as advancing strategies to build an inclusive police service where 28% of officers are women.” The announcement adds, “Mayor Harrell will welcome Chief Barnes to Seattle with a public event in January, and Chief Barnes will begin a series of meetings with community members in city neighborhoods.” In Madison this week, he has been dealing with a high-profile case, a deadly school shooting. Barnes has been Madison chief for three and a half years, and has worked in law enforcement for 24 years, according to his Madison PD bio. If confirmed, he will succeed Interim Chief Sue Rahr, who came out of retirement earlier this year to lead SPD while a new chief was found in the wake of Adrian Diaz‘s then-demotion; she was not seeking the permanent position. You can read the full announcement here; it also notes:
There were 57 total applications received from across the United States which were reviewed and narrowed to a list of 44 qualified candidates. The top four candidates were invited to take a competitive exam in November, as required by the City Charter. Three candidates – Chief Barnes; Nicholas Augustine, Assistant Chief of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Police; and Emada Tingirides, Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department – passed the exam and were forwarded to Mayor Harrell for his consideration and final selection.
The city announcement also notes that the SPD chief’s job description was shaped by input from public-safety forums held around the city earlier this year; the one for the Southwest Precinct was a lightly attended event in South Park (WSB coverage here) two weeks before then-Chief Diaz was demoted.
(Sunrise glow lacross the bay at the stadiums – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s on our list for you today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round West Seattle Event Calendar:
LAST DAY FOR COMMENTS ON REZONING PROPOSAL: Tonight is the city’s deadline for comments on proposed rezoning for much of the city. Review the plans, and comment, by going here.
COMPASS GIVING TREE’S FINAL DAY: Last day to get gifts for participants on Compass Real Estate‘s Giving Tree, benefiting Treehouse, at the West Seattle office. (4531 California SW)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Open with poinsettias, holiday swags, and more! North side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the home of West Seattle’s history to see what’s new as well as what’s old, noon-4 pm. (61st SW & SW Stevens)
QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: 12:15 pm-12:45 pm Fridays. More info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room is open 1-6 pm in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHSTAR TRADING CO. POPUP: Longtime Pike Place Market vendor closing shop and selling sheepskin creations in West Seattle, 5-7 pm again tonight – details here. (7138 30th SW)
VISCON CELLARS: Season’s just right for the ambience of this tasting room/wine bar, open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HOLIDAY SHOW TO BENEFIT THE SKYLARK: Tomo Nakayama, Radon Radar, The Loveless Building perform at 7 pm (doors at 6) to benefit The Skylark, all ages, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
‘SNOWED IN (AGAIN)’: The holiday musical continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm; ticket info is in our calendar listing (a few were left for tonight as of this morning).
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ B——-d tonight! (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates. Tonight’s slate: Weep Wave & Serpentfoot.
Are we missing anything? If you have something else to add to our event lists, calendar, and/or Holiday Guide, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Fumi Grainger, and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Fumi Grainger
July 26, 1946 – November 12, 2024Fumi Grainger passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at the age of 78, following a short battle with an aggressive cancer. Born Fumi Akimoto, Fumi grew up in Fukuoka, Japan. She moved to Seattle in 1969 to help a friend open the Japanese antique shop Mariko Tada, once located in downtown Seattle.
What began as a short adventure abroad turned into a lifetime when, one evening on a sailboat, she met Michael Grainger. They married in 1971 and made their home in West Seattle, first in Fauntleroy and later in Arbor Heights. As her children grew up, Fumi re-entered the workforce. Sensibile, honest, and detail-oriented, her career grew from part-time translator to a fulfilling role as office manager for a Japanese hardwood export company.
In retirement, Fumi traveled the world, enjoying many Holland America cruises with Michael. She embraced the joy of being a grandmother, attended local exercise classes at the YMCA, and volunteered at the Discovery Shop in the Junction. Fumi had a keen eye for fine china, chic clothing, and, of course, a good bargain. She will be fondly remembered for her grace, her kind heart, and her culinary talents, especially her famous gyoza.
Fumi is survived by her husband of 53 years, Michael; her children, Kirsty (Cam) and Simon (Silke); and her grandchildren, Aveline, Helena, Paxton, and Tahlia. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, December 20th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Winter arrives at 1:20 am Saturday – today’s forecast: Cloudy, chance of more rain, high in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset: 7:54 am and 4:20 pm.
SCHOOL
Seattle Public Schools dismiss one hour early today, going into the 2-week winter break.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi today – Regular service today.
Washington State Ferries today – As the busy pre-holiday weekend begins, there’s 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost/bonus boat” – check here for last-minute changes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
ROAD WORK/CLOSURES
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge has NOT been reconfigured – that’s now delayed until month’s end.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project has just had another milestone – the bridge has reopened.
*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our latest update.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
2:22 AM: SPD sent officers out to look for the source of possible gunfire after numerous 911 calls a short time ago from various areas, and they found it near Westwood Village. They’ve found shell casings – from a rifle – after a man told them someone in a car shot at him at the bus stop in the 2600 block of SW Barton. He apparently was not hurt. He told police the gunfire came from a dark-gray Acura with four people inside, described as Asian, male, late teens to early twenties, in blue clothing. The vehicle was last seen heading eastbound on Barton, which is temporarily closed at the scene while officers collect evidence.
2:49 AM: Officers are reopening the street, and also told dispatch they’ve collected 12 spent rounds and found gunshot damage on the ATI Physical Therapy building (along north side of Barton in WWV).
ADDED FRIDAY: Here’s the SPD summary – adding both that the shell casings were from three different types of guns, and that the reported target was on the shopping center premises when shot at:
At 0200 hours, numerous callers reported hearing shots spanning a large area of SW Pct. Officers conducted an extensive search and located a male at a bus stop in the 2600 block of SW Barton St who stated that he was the target of the shooting. This male made no attempt to call 911 or flag Officers down to report being shot at. This male stated that he had been standing at the bus shelter when a dark gray Acura drove past him. The vehicle was reportedly occupied by 4 A/M wearing blue. The vehicle made a U-turn, and the victim had a feeling he was about to be shot at, so he began to run north into the shopping complex. The suspect vehicle stopped in the roadway, shot at the victim as he ran, did not hit him and fled the area. Officers processed the scene and recovered the following fired cartridge casings: seven .223, three .357 and two 9mm. One building sustained damage from being struck multiple times by gunfire. No other victims were located at this time. No cameras were located that may have captured the incident.
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